I used to walk (ok, hustle) to school in Wenatchee, Washington. First, down Orchard Street to Orchard Middle School after we first moved to the U.S. (and after the kids recovered from their shock that I was the new girl from Jamaica and yet my skin didn’t match their mental pictures). Then, from Utah Court … Continue reading »
I love to write, to reflect, and process the life I don’t deserve by just stabbing at it – throwing words up like those creepy, plastic, stretchy cereal toys to see if they stick to the wall and start to migrate. Reality sets in between the exuberant moment when the spider-like creature sticks at the … Continue reading »
The nine year old is always after me to paint her nails. That moment, where she asks me to do that with her, is going to pass all too soon. We rush and rush through life, with me the consummate mom rushing her, like so: “Well, yes, we can paint your nails. But first, please … Continue reading »
I had a fun opportunity recently to check out a business and share a little bit about my experience with you. I have to admit, before participating in this project I was not familiar with CookiesKids.com, but I’m certainly a new fan. CookiesKids.com is an online kids’ clothing and accessory department store. The site offers … Continue reading »
Last night I sat around smoldering embers with the child of Arkansas. She asked for another torch and then settled for sticking a branch into the flames and writing smoky letters using the night sky as her canvas. She bounced restlessly from chair to chair under the half moon, and finally settled down on the … Continue reading »
The lithe girl was handed a torch by her father, which seemed poignant and appropriate. It was formerly a substantial silver maple branch downed by a storm, resurrected for noble duty. Stuffed with coco liner remnants from an aging flower basket and wrapped in twine, it was doused in fuel and lit. She reached for … Continue reading »
First, I never thought I’d be a “soccer mom.” And yet, here we are on our third pair of soccer shoes entering another season. We’ve tried to be pretty intentional in our parenting, and work hard not to let activities prevent us from plenty of family time during the week. Plus, there is much to … Continue reading »
We were informed at 8:04 p.m. of an approaching performance. While I waited for my baked potato to reach appropriate smushiness during a YOYO dinner night, as my mom would say – You’re On Your Own – I was rushed to the viewing gallery (i.e. the living room couch). An appropriately twirly dress was donned … Continue reading »
Jemima Puddleduck and Flower Daisy came into our lives one morning near Easter when a tiny little girl (who is now a lean and limber almost-tween) wriggled with excitement en route to Orscheln Farm & Home. We’d checked with some family farms, and none had ducklings ready to go given the holiday. We found the … Continue reading »
Tonight, the girls (the almost eight year old and the eight month old – excellent family planning!) and I visited Target for the typical baby purchases: new size 18mos onesies for the “small” one. *Insert audible sigh.* As we departed in the 6:30 p.m. heat of 90+ degrees in June (which, let the records show, … Continue reading »
Sophie and I were chatting the other night as she was winding down for the night. She looked out the window and said “There’s that cat. I see him every single night.” It was a bob-tailed cat, and she said it crossed the parking lot across from her bedroom around the time she went to … Continue reading »
A few recent photos before transitioning the blog… A perfect evening in a little girl’s room Madeline: check. Chloe the cat: check. All set for a snooze. Cousins. Enough said. Things I love: downtown Rogers, our church in the background, this sassy girl. Things I don’t love: it looks like a senior picture. Making our … Continue reading »
A few recent photos before transitioning the blog… A perfect evening in a little girl’s room Madeline: check. Chloe the cat: check. All set for a snooze. Cousins. Enough said. Things I love: downtown Rogers, our church in the background, this sassy girl. Things I don’t love: it looks like a senior picture. Making our … Continue reading »
As I think I’ve mentioned, my intent was to transition this Ainsley blog to our family blog, which I’ll do right after the first of the year. It’s hard to believe she is already three months old – it seems as though she just arrived. She’s proven to be an exceptionally animated, happy baby – … Continue reading »
As I think I’ve mentioned, my intent was to transition this Ainsley blog to our family blog, which I’ll do right after the first of the year. It’s hard to believe she is already three months old – it seems as though she just arrived. She’s proven to be an exceptionally animated, happy baby – … Continue reading »
This child is certainly taking her sweet time! Granted, our due date was set for September 25 – October 1, but all signs pointed to a more timely arrival. It’s a good reminder that not only do all things happen in their own due time (something I need constant reminders of – apparently the world … Continue reading »
This child is certainly taking her sweet time! Granted, our due date was set for September 25 – October 1, but all signs pointed to a more timely arrival. It’s a good reminder that not only do all things happen in their own due time (something I need constant reminders of – apparently the world … Continue reading »
We decided to share the news that Sophie would have a sibling on Valentine’s Day. We had hoped to take her up to Roaring River State Park in Mark Twain National Forest outside Seligman, Missouri for a cold weather walk and picnic, and to share the news over dinner at the Treetop Restaurant. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading »
We decided to share the news that Sophie would have a sibling on Valentine’s Day. We had hoped to take her up to Roaring River State Park in Mark Twain National Forest outside Seligman, Missouri for a cold weather walk and picnic, and to share the news over dinner at the Treetop Restaurant. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading »
>Per my 6/1 post, these are some re-posts in honor of Father’s Day… Fred, King of Storytellers – February 2009 Let me just tell you about Fred Stephens, and how he rocks the family story-telling. Probably seems like an ill-deserved, or at least not-particularly-desirable and easily-gained trait to many. Here’s where the man I married … Continue reading »
